Opencast hits 400 employee milestone as expansion continues

Independent tech consultancy Opencast has reached a milestone on its rapid expansion journey with the recruitment of its 400^th employee.

A clutch of new employees who started with the Newcastle-headquartered business this week takes the number on its team past the 400 mark.

The company was co-founded 10 years ago by Newcastle-based entrepreneurs Charlie Hoult and Mike O’Brien. In early 2020 Opencast set out an ambitious growth strategy in the public and private sector. The rate of growth – more than doubling in 2022 alone – has seen the company achieve targets set for 2025 by the end of this year.

Opencast specialises in designing, building and running user-centred digital and technology solutions with purpose. Its work for the government – including its biggest clients HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – develops services that support critical national infrastructure, aid Covid recovery, and help millions of citizens through tax, benefit and support services.

Chief executive Tom Lawson said: “We are delighted to welcome our latest cohort of employees – including the 400^th permanent member of our team – to the Opencast family. I’m also proud that this group, like so many others on our team, is drawn from a range of backgrounds. We now have more than 30 nationalities on our team overall.

“Such has been the success of the company that by the end of this year we’re expecting to have grown our revenue by 150 per cent to £35m. That is beyond the ambitious targets set in our five-year plan just two years ago.

“We are now aiming to employ 550 people by the end of 2023, with new clients and partnerships, and revenues exceeding updated projections from last year. Our success is way more than about numbers, however. Numbers are a by-product of our exceptional people, culture and interesting work.”

Tom added: “Last year we launched a radical share options scheme, giving our whole team a stake in the future success of the business. The move sees Charlie and Mike – both 50% shareholders to this point – commit to giving away a third of their shares in the business to colleagues. Alongside our people-focused culture, the scheme gives all of our team a great incentive to stay and help the business grow.”

Opencast has a range of long-standing partnerships with clients in government and global enterprise The company is targeting further growth in health, financial services and renewable energy sectors. Client credentials and experience in these sectors include Sage, NHS Business Services Authority electric vehicle charging company Mer and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.

The cohort of new recruits includes senior consultant Jim Morris, from Derbyshire; interaction design consultant Allan Robinson, from Newcastle; consultant business analyst Keith Lisle, also from Newcastle; business analyst Festus Ikotun, from Nigeria; consultant user experience researcher Polina Lysenko, from Russia; and senior consultant product owner Elizabeth Crompton from Manchester.